What is Social Engineering?
Social Engineering Definition: Social engineering is a deceptive technique used by attackers to manipulate individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security by exploiting human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities.
Understanding Social Engineering
Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into giving up confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. Unlike technical hacking, which targets system vulnerabilities, social engineering exploits human psychology and trust relationships—essentially hacking the human rather than the machine.
These attacks work because humans are naturally inclined to trust and want to be helpful. A social engineer might impersonate an IT technician needing your password, create a fake emergency requiring immediate action, or pose as a new employee seeking guidance. The most effective attacks combine small, seemingly harmless requests with background research to create convincing scenarios.
Common techniques include pretexting (creating a fabricated scenario), phishing (deceptive communications), baiting (offering something enticing), quid pro quo (exchanging services), and tailgating (following someone into a secure area). More sophisticated campaigns may use multiple techniques across different channels—phone calls backed up by spoofed emails, for instance.
What makes social engineering particularly dangerous is that even organizations with strong technical defenses remain vulnerable if their people aren't properly trained. A single employee falling for a convincing pretext can bypass millions spent on security technology.
The best defense combines awareness training, clear security procedures, healthy skepticism toward unusual requests, and a culture where verifying identities is normalized rather than seen as rude or distrustful.